Director, Water Security, Policy and Planning

Department for Environment and Water; Adelaide; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Department for Environment and Water seeks an accomplished and strategic leader to join as Director, Water Security, Policy and Planning. You will guide policy development, drive reform, and lead critical programs to secure South Australia’s water future.

Partner with senior leaders and diverse stakeholders to deliver outcomes and strengthen water security. You will shape policy, oversee planning and respond to major water challenges while fostering high performance and collaboration across

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading and managing teams.
• Experience developing and implementing high-significance policies and programs.
• Ability to build relationships across government, industry, research and communities.
• Knowledge of government machinery and influencing senior stakeholders.
• Demonstrated track record driving high performance cultures.
• Strong negotiation and communication skills in complex environments.
• Experience in strategic and business planning for long-term outcomes.
• Strong analytical thinking to identify issues and craft solutions.

Responsibilities

• Lead South Australia’s water security policy and planning initiatives.
• Shape policy, drive reform, and deliver programs that strengthen water security.
• Lead innovation and coordinate cross-government and stakeholder efforts.
• Represent SA on national and international forums to advance water priorities.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Policy development

Stakeholder engagement

Change management

Negotiation

Strategic planning

Critical thinking

Job description

Drive policy, influence change and secure South Australia's water future.

The Department for Environment and Water is recognised for its commitment to sustainable natural resource management and offers an ideal environment for collaborative and team-oriented professionals. It provides diverse career opportunities, including the chance to contribute to policy development and represent South Australia at both national and international forums.

An exciting opportunity exists for an accomplished and strategic leader to join the Department as the Director, Water Security, Policy and Planning. In this influential role, you will lead South Australia's response to some of its most significant water challenges and opportunities.

You will shape policy, drive reform, lead innovation and deliver critical programs that strengthen water security, reduce flood hazard risk, and support water sensitive urban planning.

Partnering with senior leaders and key stakeholders across government, industry, research, community and First Nations groups, you will influence policy, build strategic relationships, support emergency preparedness, and lead a high-performing team to deliver impactful outcomes for South Australia.

To be considered for this role, you will have:

• Demonstrated experience in effectively leading and managing a team, demonstrating adeptness in decision-making, resource allocation and fostering a collaborative environment to achieve organisational goals.


• Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing policies and programs of national and/or state-wide significance.


• Proven ability to develop effective relationships with community, industry, government and non-government stakeholder groups to achieve the priorities of government.


• Sound working knowledge of the machinery of government and a demonstrated ability to influence and gain the trust and confidence of others at senior levels in government and non-government organisations.


• Demonstrated experience in driving a culture of high performance.


• Proven negotiation, inter-personal and communication skills in politically sensitive and complex environments.


• Demonstrated experience in strategic and business planning that delivers successful outcomes.


• Demonstrated critical thinking skills that enable the identification of issues and the development and implementation of effective solutions.

Applications close, Wednesday 30th September 2026.

This is a 3-Year term Contract.